Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 22, 2014) – The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will travel to cities across the country this summer, but few would argue that the most anticipated tournament on tour each year takes place in the birthplace of beach volleyball – Manhattan Beach.

The AVP Manhattan Beach Open presented by smart is coming to the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier from August 14-17, continuing a tradition that has been a highlight of summer in the South Bay since 1960. General admission is free, and a limited amount of VIP tickets are now on sale at http://avp.com/event/mbo-14/.

Fans looking to take advantage of the Manhattan Beach Open’s free general admission are encouraged to arrive early to find the ideal viewing location for their beach chairs and towels.

With an open qualifying tournament on Thursday, August 14 and main-draw play Friday, August 15-Sunday, August 17, stars like three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings, gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, silver medalist April Ross and Olympians Sean Rosenthal, Jake Gibb and Nicole Branagh will serve, set and spike in the famously deep Manhattan Beach sand. The beach party atmosphere includes great music, 12-plus courts of world-class volleyball action and interactive activities.

Walsh Jennings and husband Casey Jennings, Manhattan Beach residents, last year became the first married couple to win the tournament the same year, and they’ll attempt to defend their titles in 2014.

Main draw play will be preceded on Thursday by the annual Walk of Fame Pier Ceremony on the Manhattan Beach Pier, in which defending women’s champions Walsh Jennings and Whitney Pavlik, and defending men’s champions Jennings and Matt Fuerbringer will unveil the bronze plaques bearing their names that will be permanently etched into the pier. The weekend will also feature a Manhattan Beach Legends exhibition tournament, inviting back some of the greatest professional players to ever compete in the legendary MBO tournament.

The 55th AVP Manhattan Beach Open presented by smart is the longest running continuous tournament in the history of beach volleyball and is regarded as the tour’s most prestigious and popular event. It will feature an expanded field of 32 men’s and 32 women’s main draw teams and an open qualifier without a cap on the number of teams eligible to register.

Daily VIP tickets offer access to a shaded hospitality, light snacks and beverage, access to player meet and greets and after parties, and more. VIP tickets for the Manhattan Beach Open presented by smart are priced as follows:

Advance price

Thursday 8/14 (open qualifier) FREE

Friday 8/15 $45

Saturday 8/16 $75

Sunday 8/17 $125

The men’s and women’s finals for both events will be televised live on CBS Sports Network, with additional coverage of the tournaments being streamed live online at 104.236.90.106.

The AVP’s 2014 schedule includes seven tournaments in different regions of the U.S., from Florida to Southern California. In its third year under the guidance of AVP Managing Partner Donald Sun, who purchased the tour in 2012, the AVP has expanded its property to include tour stops this season in St. Petersburg, Fla. (May 29-June 1); Milwaukee (July 3-6); Salt Lake City (Aug. 7-10); Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Aug. 14-17); Cincinnati (Aug. 28-31); Atlantic City, N.J. (Sept. 5-7); and Huntington Beach, Calif. (Sept. 18-21).

About The AVP

Established in 1983, the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) produces, markets and distributes volleyball events worldwide, including the popular AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. While promoting family-oriented events and supporting a healthy lifestyle, the AVP is best known for its world-class athletes, who have won numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the Olympic games. The AVP headquarters are in Costa Mesa, Calif.

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